Hughes leaves the Vale

Lee Hughes will leave Port Vale to join Skrill Premier outfit Forest Green Rovers and will be available for selection as from Saturday.

Hughes joined Vale on a free in the January transfer window last year and made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut in a 2-1 win at Gillingham.

He went on to make 20 starts and 14 substitute appearances, netting 14 goals in all, and played his part in Vale’s promotion from League Two last season.

He has been a model professional during his twelve months with Port Vale and leaves the club with everybody’s best wishes.

Vale boss Micky Adams said: “We had a chat and Lee wants regular first team football. Obviously with the emergence of Jordan Hugill we don’t want to block that avenue to him.

“The thing is he wants to play regular football and I can’t give him a regular place so he is joining Forest Green Rovers on an 18 month deal, which he is happy with.

“We wish him well and we thank him for his contribution since he has been here, not least of all his goals in the promotion winning season and certainly the big highlight for me was his three goals against Burton.

“He is a fantastic kid, he’s not what the perception of him is, he has been terrific and I wish him well. I have got great things to say about him.”